New Era

University
College of Education
No. 9 Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City, 1107, Philippines, 9 Central Ave, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Measurement, Assessment, and Evaluation Dictionary

Accountability
The obligation placed on an educational institute by public officials, employers, and taxpayers
for school officials to prove that money invested in education has led to measurable learning.
Accountability is often viewed as an important factor in education reform. An assessment system
connected to accountability can help identify needs so that resources can be equitably distributed.
The responsibility of an agency to its sponsors and clientele for accomplishing its mission with
prudent use of its resources. In education, accountability is currently thought to require
measurable proof that faculty and institutions are teaching students efficiently and well, usually
in the form of student success rates on various tests.
Accreditation
Official recognition that an institution meets required standards. Gallaudet is accredited by a
voluntary regional accreditation association, the Middle States Commission on Higher
Education.
Achievement Test
A standardized test designed to efficiently measure the amount of knowledge and/or skill a
person has acquired, usually as a result of classroom instruction. Such testing produces a
statistical profile used as a measurement to evaluate student learning in comparison with a
standard or norm.

Affective
Outcomes of education involving feelings more than understanding: likes, pleasures ideals,
dislikes, annoyances, values.
Alternative Assessment
Alternatives to traditional, standardized, norm- or criterion-referenced traditional paper and
pencil testing. An alternative assessment might require students to answer an open-ended
question, work out a solution to a problem, demonstrate skill, or in some way produce work
rather than select an answer from choices on a sheet of paper. Portfolios and instructor
observation of students are also alternative forms of assessment. (Also Assessment Alternatives)
Analytic Scoring
A type of rubric scoring that separates the whole into categories of criteria that are examined one
at a time. Student writing, for example, might be scored on the basis of grammar, organization,
and clarity of ideas. Useful as a diagnostic tool. An analytic scale is useful when there are several
dimensions on which the piece of work will be evaluated. (See Rubric.)
Aptitude Test
A test intended to measure the test-taker's innate ability to learn, given before receiving
instruction.
Assessment
Assessment is an ongoing process aimed at understanding and improving student learning. It
involves making our expectations explicit and public; setting appropriate criteria and standards
for learning quality; systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine
how well performance matches those expectations and standards, and using the resulting
information to document, explain and improve performance (Tom Angelo, 1995)
Assessment is the systematic collection, review and use of information about educational
programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development. (Palomba
& Banta, 1999)
The systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs
undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development.
The Latin root assideremeans to sit beside. In an educational context, the process of observing
learning; describing, collecting, recording, scoring, and
interpreting information about a student's learning. At its most useful, assessment is an episode in
the learning process; part of reflection and autobiographical understanding of progress.

Traditionally, student assessments are used to determine placement, promotion, graduation, or

retention.
In the context of institutional accountability, assessments are undertaken to determine the
effectiveness of academic programs, etc. In the context of school reform, assessment is an
essential tool for evaluating the effectiveness of changes in the teaching-learning process.
Assessment Literacy
The possession of knowledge about the basic principles of sound assessment practice, including
terminology, the development and use of assessment methodologies and techniques, familiarity
with standards of quality in assessment. Increasingly, familiarity with alternatives to traditional
measurements of learning.
Assessment Task
An illustrative task or performance opportunity that closely targets defined instructional aims,
allowing students to demonstrate their progress and capabilities.
Authentic Assessment
Evaluating by asking for the behavior the learning is intended to produce. The concept of model,
practice, feedback in which students know what excellent performance is and are guided to
practice an entire concept rather than bits and pieces in preparation for eventual understanding. A
variety of techniques can be employed in authentic assessment.
The goal of authentic assessment is to gather evidence that students can use knowledge
effectively and be able to critique their own efforts. Tasks used in authentic assessment are
meaningful and valuable, and are part of the learning process.
Authentic assessment can take place at any point in the learning process. Authentic assessment
implies that tests are central experiences in the learning process, and that assessment takes place
repeatedly. Patterns of success and failure are observed as learners use knowledge and skills in
slightly ambiguous situations that allow the assessor to observe the student applying knowledge
and skills in new situations over time.
Benchmark
Student performance standards (the level(s) of student competence in a content area.)
An actual measurement of group performance against an established standard at defined points
along the path toward the standard. Subsequent measurements of group performance use the
benchmarks to measure progress toward achievement.
Examples of student achievement that illustrate points on a performance scale, used as

exemplars. (See Descriptor, Cohort, Criteria/Standards.)

Blooms Taxonomy of Cognitive Objectives
Benjamin Bloom originated this taxonomy for categorizing level of abstraction of questions that
commonly occur in educational settings. The taxonomy provides a useful structure in which to
categorize test questions, since professors will characteristically ask questions within particular
levels, and if you can determine the levels of questions that will appear on your exams, you will
be able to study using appropriate strategies. There are six levels arranged in order of increasing
complexity (1=low, 6=high):
1. Knowledge: Recalling or remembering information without necessarily understanding it.
Includes behaviors such as describing, listing, identifying, and labeling.
2. Comprehension: Understanding learned material and includes behaviors such as explaining,
discussing, and interpreting. 3. Application: The ability to put ideas and concepts to work in
solving problems. It includes behaviors such as demonstrating, showing, and making use of
information.
4. Analysis: Breaking down information into its component parts to see
interrelationships and ideas. Related behaviors include differentiating, comparing, and
categorizing.
5. Synthesis: The ability to put parts together to form something original. It involves using
creativity to compose or design something new.
6. Evaluation: Judging the value of evidence based on definite criteria.
Behaviors related to evaluation include: concluding, criticizing, prioritizing, and recommending.
Capstone Assessment
Assessment of outcomes structured into learning experiences occurring at the end of a program.
The experiences involve demonstration of a comprehensive range of program outcomes through
some type of product or performance. The outcomes may be those of the major and of the
general education program or of the major only. (Palomba & Banta, 1999)
Cohort
A group whose progress is followed by means of measurements at different points in time.
Concept
An abstract, general notion -- a heading that characterizes a set of behaviors and beliefs.

Criteria/Standards
Performance descriptors that indicate how well students will meet expectations of what they
should be able to think, know or do. They are descriptive benchmarks against which performance
is judged. These criteria or standards may be described in varying gradients of success as in
rubrics or in grades. Often they are state din terms of percentages, percentiles or other
quantitative measures (Nichols, 2000) (See Descriptor, Rubrics, Benchmark.)
Criterion Referenced Tests
A test in which the results can be used to determine a student's progress toward mastery of a
content area. Performance is compared to an expected level of mastery in a content area rather
than to other students' scores. Such tests usually include questions based on what the student was
taught and are designed to measure the student's mastery of designated objectives of an
instructional program. The "criterion" is the standard of performance established as the passing
score for the test. Scores have meaning in terms of what the student knows or can do, rather than
how the test-taker compares to a reference or norm group. Criterion referenced tests can have
norms, but comparison to a norm is not the purpose of the assessment.
Criterion referenced tests have also been used to provide information for program evaluation,
especially to track the success or progress of programs and student populations that have been
involved in change or that are at risk of inequity. In this case, the tests are used to give feedback
on progress of groups and individuals.
Curriculum Alignment
The degree to which a curriculum's scope and sequence matches a testing program's evaluation
measures, thus ensuring that teachers will use successful completion of the test as a goal of
classroom instruction.
Curriculum-embedded or Learning-embedded Assessment
Assessment that occurs simultaneously with learning such as projects, portfolios and
"exhibitions." Occurs in the classroom setting, and, if properly designed, students should not be
able to tell whether they are being taught or assessed. Tasks or tests are developed from the
curriculum or instructional materials.
Cut Score
Score used to determine the minimum performance level needed to pass a competency test. (See
Descriptorfor another type of determiner.)
Descriptor
A set of signs used as a scale against which a performance or product is placed in an evaluation.

Descriptors allow assessment to include clear guidelines for what is and is not valued in student
work.
Dimension
Aspects or categories in which performance in a domain or subject area will be judged. Separate
descriptors or scoring methods may apply to each dimension of the student's performance
assessment.
Direct Assessment Methods
These methods involve students display of knowledge and skills (e.g. text results, written
assignments, presentations, classroom assignments) resulting from learning experience in the
class/program. (Palomba & Banta, 1999)
Essay Test
A test that requires students to answer questions in writing. Responses can be brief or extensive.
Tests for recall, ability to apply knowledge of a subject to questions about the subject, rather than
ability to choose the least incorrect answer from a menu of options.
Evaluation
Both qualitative and quantitative descriptions of student behavior plus value judgments
concerning the desirability of that behavior. Using collected information (assessments) to make
informed decisions about continued instruction, programs, activities. Exemplar Model of
excellence.
Decisions made about assessment findings; deciding about the value of programs/program
outcomes; may involve recommendations for changes. (See Benchmark, Norm, Rubric,
Standard.)
Formative Assessment
Observations which allow one to determine the degree to which students know or are able to do a
given learning task, and which identifies the part of the task that the student does not know or is
unable to do. Outcomes suggest future steps for teaching and learning.
Assessment conducted during a performance/course/program with the purpose of providing
feedback that can be used to modify, shape, and improve a performance/course/program.
(Palomba & Banta, 1999) (See Summative Assessment.)
Holistic Method/Holistic Scoring
In assessment, assigning a single score based on an overall assessment of performance rather
than by scoring or analyzing dimensions individually. The product is considered to be more than

the sum of its parts and so the quality of a final product or performance is evaluated rather than
the process or dimension of performance. A holistic scoring rubric might combine a number of
elements on a single scale. Focused holistic scoring may be used to evaluate a limited portion of
a learner's performance.
A type of grading in which an assignment is given an overall score. Possible scores are described
in a rating scale. A high score indicates achievement of all aspects of the assignment, while a low
score means few f any of the desired outcomes have been achieved. The score levels need to be
specific
enough to reveal meaningful, diagnostic information when the scores are aggregated. (Ewell,
1991; Palomba & Banta, 1999).
Indirect Assessment Methods
Assessment methods that involve perceptions of learning rather than actual demonstrations of
outcome achievement (e.g. alumni surveys, employer surveys, exit interviews).
Institutional Effectiveness
The measure of what an institution actually achieves.
Item Analysis
Analyzing each item on a test to determine the proportions of students selecting each answer.
Can be used to evaluate student strengths and weaknesses; may point to problems with the test's
validity and to possible bias.
Journals
Students' personal records and reactions to various aspects of learning and developing ideas. A
reflective process often found to consolidate and enhance learning.
Mean
One of several ways of representing a group with a single, typical score. It is figured by adding
up all the individual scores in a group and dividing them by the number of people in the group.
Can be affected by extremely low or high scores.
Measurement
Quantitative description of student learning and qualitative description of student attitude.
Median
The point on a scale that divides a group into two equal subgroups. Another way to represent a

group's scores with a single, typical score. The median is not affected by low or high scores as is
the mean. (See Norm.)
Metacognition
The knowledge of one's own thinking processes and strategies, and the ability to consciously
reflect and act on the knowledge of cognition to modify those processes and strategies.
Mission
A holistic vision of the values and philosophy of a department, program, unit or institution.
General education learning goals are often found in the institutions mission statement. (Palomba
& Banta, 1999; Allen, 2004)
Modifications
Recommended actions or changes for improving student learning, service delivery, etc. that
respond to the respective measurement evaluation.
Multidimensional Assessment
Assessment that gathers information about a broad spectrum of abilities and skills.
Multiple Choice Tests
A test in which students are presented with a question or an incomplete sentence or idea. The
students are expected to choose the correct or best answer/completion from a menu of
alternatives.
Norm
A distribution of scores obtained from a norm group. The norm is the midpoint (or median) of
scores or performance of the students in that group. Fifty percent will score above and fifty
percent below the norm.
Norm Group
A random group of students selected by a test developer to take a test to provide a range of
scores and establish the percentiles of performance for use in establishing scoring standards.
Norm Referenced Tests
A test in which a student or a group's performance is compared to that of a norm group. The
student or group scores will not fall evenly on either side of the median established by the
original test takers. The results are relative to the performance of an external group and are
designed to be compared with the norm group providing a performance standard. Often used to

measure and compare students, schools, districts, and states on the basis of normestablished
scales of achievement.
Objectives
Synonymous with outcomes. Statements that describe measurable expectations of what students
should be able to think, know or do when theyve completed a given educational program. Each
statement should describe one expectation; should not bundle several into one statement. The
statements must be clear and easily understood by all faculty in the area/department. (See
Outcomes)
Objective Test
A test for which the scoring procedure is completely specified enabling agreement among
different scorers. A correct-answer test.
On-Demand Assessment
An assessment process that takes place as a scheduled event outside the normal routine. An
attempt to summarize what students have learned that is not embedded in classroom activity.
Outcomes
An operationally defined educational goal, usually a culminating activity, product, or
performance that can be measured. (See Objectives)
Percentile
A ranking scale ranging from a low of 1 to a high of 99 with 50 as the median score. A percentile
rank indicates the percentage of a reference or norm group obtaining scores equal to or less than
the test-taker's score. A percentile score does not refer to the percentage of questions answered
correctly, it indicates the test-taker's standing relative to the norm group standard.
Performance-Based Assessment
Direct, systematic observation and rating of student performance of an educational objective,
often an ongoing observation over a period of time, and typically involving the creation of
products. The assessment may be a continuing interaction between faculty and student and
should ideally be part of the learning process. The assessment should be a real-world
performance with relevance to the student and learning community. Assessment of the
performance is done using a rubric, or analytic scoring guide to aid in objectivity. Performancebased assessment is a test of the ability to apply
knowledge in a real-life setting. Performance of exemplary tasks in the demonstration of
intellectual ability.

Evaluation of the product of a learning experience can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness
of teaching methods.
Performance Criteria
The standards by which student performance is evaluated. Performance criteria help assessors
maintain objectivity and provide students with important information about expectations, giving
them a target or goal to strive for.
Portfolio
A systematic and organized collection of a student's work that exhibits to others the direct
evidence of a student's efforts, achievements, and progress over a period of time. The collection
should involve the student in selection of its contents, and should include information about the
performance criteria, the rubric or criteria for judging merit, and evidence of student
selfreflection or evaluation. It should include representative work, providing a documentation of
the learner's performance and a basis for evaluation of the student's progress. Portfolios may
include a variety of demonstrations of learning and have been gathered in the form of a physical
collection of materials, videos, CD-ROMs, reflective journals, etc.
Portfolio Assessment
A type of direct measure, a performance measure, in which students assignments are carefully
reviewed for evidence of desired learning outcomes. The portfolios contain work selected over a
period of time, with materials added as the student progresses through the course/program. In
addition, the portfolios usually include students reflective learning/outcome analysis.
Portfolios may be assessed in a variety of ways. Each piece may be individually scored, or the
portfolio might be assessed merely for the presence of required pieces, or a holistic scoring
process might be used and an evaluation made on the basis of an overall impression of the
student's collected work. It is common that assessors work together to establish consensus of
standards or to ensure greater reliability in evaluation of student work. Established criteria are
often used by reviewers and students
involved in the process of evaluating progress and achievement of objectives.
Primary Trait Method
Factors or traits (assignment specific) that are considered in scoring an assignment generally
stated in a hierarchical scale of three to five incremental levels of achievement quality. For each
level on the scale, there is a specific statement that describes expected behavior (criterion) at that
level. (Palomba & Banta, 1999; Walvoord & Anderson, 1998).
A type of rubric scoring constructed to assess a specific trait, skill, behavior, or format, or the
evaluation of the primary impact of a learning process on a designated audience.

Process
A generalizable method of doing something, generally involving steps or operations which are
usually ordered and/or interdependent. Process can be evaluated as part of an assessment, as in
the example of evaluating a student's performance during prewriting exercises leading up to the
final production of an essay or paper.
Product
The tangible and stable result of a performance or task. An assessment is made of student
performance based on evaluation of the product of a demonstration of learning.
Profile
A graphic compilation of the performance of an individual on a series of assessments.
Project
A complex assignment involving more than one type of activity and production. Projects can
take a variety of forms, some examples are a mural construction, a shared service project, or
other collaborative or individual effort.
Quantitative Methods of Assessment
Methods that rely on numerical scores or ratings. Examples: Surveys, Inventories,
Institutional/departmental data, departmental/course-level exams (locally constructed,
standardized, etc.).
Qualitative Methods of Assessment
Methods that rely on descriptions rather than numbers. Examples: Ethnographic field studies,
logs, journals, participant observation, and openended questions on interviews and surveys.
Quartile
The breakdown of an aggregate of percentile rankings into four categories: the 0-25th percentile,
26-50th percentile, etc.
Quintile
The breakdown of an aggregate of percentile rankings into five categories: the 0-20th percentile,
21-40th percentile, etc.
Rating Scale
A scale based on descriptive words or phrases that indicate performance levels. Qualities of a

performance are described (e.g., advanced, intermediate, novice) in order to designate a level of
achievement. The scale may be used with rubrics or descriptions of each level of performance.
Reliability
The measure of consistency for an assessment instrument. The instrument should yield similar
results over time with similar populations in similar circumstances.
Rubric
Some of the definitions of rubric are contradictory. In general a rubric is a scoring guide used in
subjective assessments. A rubric implies that a rule defining the criteria of an assessment system
is followed in evaluation. A rubric can be an explicit description of performance characteristics
corresponding to a point on a rating scale. A scoring rubric makes explicit expected qualities of
performance on a rating scale or the definition of a single scoring point on a scale.
A kind of holistic or primary trait scoring in which detailed criteria are delineated and used to
discriminate among levels of achievement in assignments, performances, or products.
Sampling
A way to obtain information about a large group by examining a smaller, randomly chosen
selection (the sample) of group members. If the sampling is conducted correctly, the results will
be representative of the group as a whole. Sampling may also refer to the choice of smaller tasks
or processes that will be valid for making inferences about the student's performance in a larger
domain. "Matrix sampling" asks different groups to take small segments of a test; the results will
reflect the ability of the larger group on a complete range of tasks.
Scale
A classification tool or counting system designed to indicate and measure the degree to which an
event or behavior has occurred.
Scale Scores
Scores based on a scale ranging from 001 to 999. Scale scores are useful in comparing
performance in one subject area across classes, programs and other large populations, especially
in monitoring change over time.
Score
A rating of performance based on a scale or classification.
Scoring Criteria
Rules for assigning a score or the dimensions of proficiency in performance used to describe a

student's response to a task. May include rating scales, checklists, answer keys, and other scoring
tools. In a subjective assessment situation, a rubric.
Scoring
A package of guidelines intended for people scoring performance assessments. May include
instructions for raters, notes on training raters, rating scales, samples of student work
exemplifying various levels of performance.
Self-Assessment
A process in which a student engages in a systematic review of a performance, usually for the
purpose of improving future performance. May involve comparison with a standard, established
criteria. May involve critiquing one's own work or may be a simple description of the
performance. Reflection, self-evaluation, metacognition, are related terms.
Standards
Agreed upon values used to measure the quality of student performance, instructional methods,
curriculum, etc.
Subjective Test
A test in which the impression or opinion of the assessor determines the score or evaluation of
performance. A test in which the answers cannot be known or prescribed in advance.
Summative Assessment
Assessment conducted after a program has been implemented and completed to make judgments
about its quality or worth compared to previously defined standards. (Palomba & Banta, 1999)
Evaluation at the conclusion of a unit or units of instruction or an activity or plan to determine or
judge student skills and knowledge or effectiveness of a plan or activity. Outcomes are the
culmination of a teaching/learning process for a unit, subject, or year's study. (See Formative
Assessment.)
Triangulation
Multiple lines of evidence pointing to the same conclusion.
Validity
The test measures the desired performance and appropriate inferences can be drawn from the
results. The assessment accurately reflects the learning it was designed to measure.

Resources
http://www.gallaudet.edu/Documents/AssessmentGlossary.pdf
Allen, Mary. Articulating Learning Objectives. Workshop presented at WASC/AAHE
Collaborative Workshop on Building Learner-Centered Institutions-Developing Institutional
Strategies for Assessing and Improving Student Learning. March 2004.
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.5a47c86b3b7 b44128716b710e3108a0c/
Angelo, T. (1995). Improving Classroom Assessment to Improve Learning. Assessment Update,
7(6), 1-2, 13-14.
California State University Sacramento Assessment Glossary of Terms 23 August 2004.
http://www/csus.edu/acaf/Portfolios/GE/glossary.htm
Ewell, P.T. (1991). To Capture the Ineffable: New Forms of Assessment in Higher Education. In
G. Grant (ed.), Review of research in Education, no. 17, Washington, DC: American Educational
Research Association.
Lyons, N. Portfolios and Their Consequences: Developing as a Reflective Practitioner In N.
Lyons (ed.), With Portfolio in Hand: Validating the New teacher Professionalism, New York:
Teachers College Press.

New Horizons for Learning http://www.newhorizons.org

Nichols J & Nichols K. (2000). The Departmental Guide and Record Book for Student Outcomes
Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness. NY: Agathon Press.
Palomba, C & Banta T. (1999). Assessment Essentials: Planning, Implementing, and Improving
Assessment in Higher Education. San Francisco: Jossey Bass
Walvoord, B. and Anderson V.J., (1998) Effective Grading: A Tool for Learning and Assessment.
San Francisco: Jossey Bass.